Yes please I need all the help I can get

I just started jumping, everyone seems to use a crop to motivate "lazy" horses. What gives???

I did jumping for some time and have to say that I have never seen so many horses that are dead in the mouth from the extreme "contact" that seems to be the trend with many jumper trainers. It seems that the top riders preach a much more forgiving contact with the mouth, but those on the lower levels do not. I too, would love to hear Monty's views on how to train a jumper without force or violence (I noticed the crop issue as well).

I just don't understand why people think that ruining their horses' mouths is ok. My mare, who I trained from the start, is extremely sensitive in the mouth and I love it. I can ride her in a nice, round position and no one can even see the aids that I am giving her as she responds to only a closing of my fingers. That brings up another issue. When I started riding dressage, my first trainer told me to hold the reins mainly with my thumb and forefinger, letting the other fingers be more relaxed and able to subtly close to give quiet aids. However, every jump trainer that I have ridden with has critized my hands, saying that I need to make a fist and use more elbow motion. My question is, why train a horse to need more force when you can easily control an unruined mouth with just a squeeze?

I think the whole elbow thing is a newer concept becasue, like you, I was originally taught to hold the reins so that the closing of the fingers delivered the message. The last Dressage lesson I took (that was still some years ago, as my horse can no longer go in a bit) I got the same message you did..more elbow! It perpexes me as well, but I think it's a fashion that will hopefully die down and we can get back to 'whispering' at our horses and not 'yelling'. :)
As for the original topic of this thread...YES! I would LOVE to hear Monty talk about training young (or beginner) jumpers. I am loving all the information here, but I would really love to see some pure jumping content.

I agree! I'm totally excited! btw crops are sooooo missused! in my opinion you should really only hit yourself with the crop to make a noise and that is only to teach the horse to respond to a lighter leg pressure so you don't have to kick the horse and never over jumps cause a horse should be soft before you jump.

Hi,
The misuse of crops is a big issue. I agree with Kit that they should be use to make a noise. I use a dressage whip after a certain point in my horses training but i only use it as an extention of my leg aid and its only a tickle. if i use a crop its only carried and only at cross country competitions. If people need to use a crop in jumping to force the horse over the jump they obviously dont see the bigger problem e.g. Why doesnt the horse want to jump - maybe a bad fall or inexperince.

I have just started my young thoroughbred jumping so some lessons from Monty (or Will) would be greatly appreciated! My horse is going really well and seems to love it, and my instructor knows that I will not use a whip or force and we don't have any issues with that. Before joing Monty's university, I used to always carry a whip, whether jumping, doing dressage or just out trail riding, simply out of years of habit. I can't recall which Olympics, but i remember clearly in the showjumping a horse was going around perfectly until mid-way through when it's rider gave it a tap with the whip, and it all went downhill from there, unevenness, rails down etc. If only they had been a member of Monty's University!

Jumping Jumping Jumping! Can't be too much jumping, or classical lessons. I'm kinda a beginner so IN-DEPTH explanation of ALL aids would be great! Can't get enough jumping or even dressage!

This would be fantastic

Hi
Great comments on peoples experience with riding instructors. On thing that I have become aware of is watching how world class riders, particularly dressage, cue their horses. I don't watch their hands, only their heels and butt. I have yet to see a rider use a crop on a horse in competition, and my take on the use of a crop is to signal a horse or focus his attention.
If I get to strong with my horse (leg queue or heels, he will growl loudly at me. He makes it very clear that if I don't behave myself he will not cooperate with me.
I do admire riders that have taken their horse to a higher level of performance and the horse is still having fun.

I don't know that Monty is into show jumping, but the forum is a great way to pass on the little secrets or tricks that make the task safer and easier.

Cheers

Jessy, I have been jumping in a riding school with slow horses for 3 three years and I have never used a stick, also now I have my own horses I just except that if they have a slow day( which isn't very often ) I just don't jump- the thing is once you have your leg working in the right position that suites your horse you can get them todo anything - and although this may take a while, it's definitely worth it!!!!!

I too think this would be a great lesson to have and perhaps Monty could sign up someone he approves of to give this lesson as he has in other videos such as 'Join up with the Farrier" and the mounting block video. Like Ruthy I have just started jumping with my young mare and so far have concentrated on low grade cross county jumps as these are less spooky than the show jumps for her. We are about to start on the show jumps so yes please - bring on the lesson!